Travel

Umrah: My long anticipated journey to the Holy Kaaba

Referred to as “the greatest journey of a lifetime” by the 14th century traveller Ibn Battuta, pilgrimage to the Kaaba has been a source of blessings for Muslims around the world for 1,400 years. Here's how my journey to the holy sanctuary unfolded.

Croatia to join EU's open travel zone but Romania, Bulgaria kept out

Austrian Interior Minister Gerhard Karner said he would vote against letting in Romania and Bulgaria into Europe's ID-check-free travel zone citing security concerns.

Collecting sights: Family on world tour before children lose vision

This Canadian family of six are in an urgency to collect visual memories of the world as three of their four kids are gradually losing their vision due to a rare genetic disease.

Over a thousand flights cancelled as Lufthansa staff go on strike

About 134,000 passengers had to change their travel plans or cancel them altogether after ground staff at Germany's Lufthansa airlines went on strike, prompting the cancellation of more than 1,000 flights.

Japan to reopen for tourism, travellers allowed in only with tour groups

Tour groups are expected to take responsibility for ensuring visitors respect Japan's near-universal mask-wearing and other measures that have helped keep the toll from Covid-19 comparatively low.

Green aviation: Electric planes are finally taking off

While the aviation industry attempts to clear our skies with zero-emission flights, there are some challenges electric planes need to overcome to transition to a carbon-free future.

World on alert as highly contagious Omicron variant continues to spread

New cases were confirmed in Australia, Germany, UK and Italy, while Israel closes its borders to all foreigners in a bid to stem the spread of the new Omicron variant of the coronavirus.

Top Pakistan, Saudi diplomats discuss ways to ease Covid curbs, Afghanistan

Saudi FM Prince Faisal bin Farhan al Saud meets Pakistani counterpart Shah Mehmood Qureshi in Islamabad for talks on a range of issues including Covid-19 travel restrictions, conflicts in Kashmir, Palestine, Yemen and Afghanistan.

What is the EU’s Digital Covid Certificate?

On July 1, the EU unveiled its digital Covid certification system to make travels easier and safe within the bloc, plus four countries.

Champions League final moved from Istanbul to Porto

Champions League final match has been moved from Istanbul in order to allow English fans to attend but Portugal is still only allowing essential travel into the country from the UK.

Turkey, Azerbaijan start passport-free travel

Citizens of both countries will only need to carry special ID cards for up to 90 days of travel.

Britons barred from flights to Spain in Brexit paperwork error

British expatriates residing in Spain are unable to board flights to Barcelona and Madrid after airlines claimed their papers were no longer valid post-Brexit.